I have written about lessons from football and cheerleading. I haven’t written about theater. Max played football and soccer and was in a lot of clubs. Lillie does cheerleading, flag football and clubs. Ella is my theater kid (who also does a lot of clubs). Her love for the theater began at an early age. It has been one of my greatest joys watching her through the whole process. Ella doesn’t realize how much her and theater have taught me over the years.
There is nothing better than seeing your child doing something that they love doing. The way that Ella lights up on stage brings tears of joy to my eyes. She just performed in her last high school play. All the lasts have begun and it’s not easy. She went out with a bang in a part that was so perfect for her. The director of the play casted everyone brilliantly. They just did Play On. It’s a play about a play and everything goes wrong. I laughed hard. I laughed, I cried and I smiled seeing my girl shine like a diamond. I will remember this play always and forever. There is nothing better than seeing my children doing things that they love doing. If your child hasn’t found that thing, I encourage them to join more things and find something that they love. It is so good for them on so many levels. It’s good for us to have things that we love in our lives too!
The community of theater is like no other. The way the theater kids bonded for this play was pure magic. When our kids join clubs, teams, the play, they are able to find their people and make precious friendships. Ella looked forward to going to rehearsal every day and having so much fun and seeing her friends. She loved the people and she loved the work that they were doing every day. I am reminded to join things to find my people. I joined a book club and met wonderful women. Encourage yourself and your kids to join things!
The hours that these kids put into the play was remarkable. Ella would text me to say that she was staying until 7:30 PM and that I shouldn’t come at 7. I would drop her off anywhere from 7 AM to 7:30 AM depending on her clubs and I would pick her up anywhere from 5 to 7:30 PM depending on the day. The hours, the work, the devotion that they all did together impressed and inspired me on a daily basis. The results were phenomenal and it teaches us that hard work really does pay off.
Don’t ever give up. No matter what part you get, put your all into it and do your very best. There is a lot of heartbreak in theater. I’ll never forget when Ella had her heart set on being Matilda. She was so sad when she got her part. We told her to put her best into that part. You want to be a good example for others. You want to show your stuff so that you can get the parts that you want. Ella got the perfect part this year. She hasn’t always gotten the perfect part. We always encouraged her to work hard at any part and that it would pay off. Be the best you at everything you do. You will see results. We have also learned to make a good show every part is needed big or small.
You will not jive with everyone. This cast was perfection. The casting was done so well. The kids are fabulous. Ella loved working with all of them. It hasn’t always been like this. You won’t love everyone you work with. It is a good experience to learn to work with people. If you mesh well with people enjoy it. If you don’t mesh well with people, then I encourage all of us to learn to work with all kinds of people. It’s a great life skill for all of us.
Try it all! Ella has been in the ensemble, a main part, in stage crew and she has directed. This has been quite the journey with her. She learned along the way what she likes and what she doesn’t like. The only way to learn is to try things. She did not like stage crew, but she loves directing. She doesn’t love being in the ensemble, but she is a good team player. She would rather be front and center in a main part! I have loved watching her try all the things. A great example for all of us,
Learn from others. Ella has had about 12 years of theater experience so far. She has learned from directors, producers and great actors. We can learn so much from people who have more experience than us. She was always watching them and learning from them. As she ventures off to be a freshman in college next year, there will be a lot of older students for her to learn from.
Find ways to do your passion no matter what age you are. This doesn’t have to be the end for Ella. I have encouraged Ella to join theater in college. I know she can always do community theater. This is a deep love for Ella. I hope that it will always be in her life. It makes me want to join a dance class or become a cheer coach. It’s good to keep our passions in our lives.
Dealing with rejection is a good skill to have. It was so hard every time we saw Ella sad about not getting a part that she wanted. I have also learned that bumps like these are a part of the journey. We aren’t always going to get what we want. We want our kids to learn that life is full of ups and downs and that rejection or redirection as I like to say, is a very normal part of life.
Ella now shines with confidence. Sometimes I still see Ella doubt herself. She doesn’t quite realize her greatness. I have seen her grow into a confident and successful 17-year-old. Theater has helped her become this person. From the little girl who played Annie to the confident and talented 17-year-old who just played Polly. Keep shining my girl!
They always pull it together in the end. Every dress rehearsal for 12 years Ella has come home and told Seth and I that the show is going to be terrible. I think she has learned to just expect dress rehearsals to not go smoothly. She has also learned that they always pull it together in the end. Every single performance she has been in has showcased kids up on stage pulling it off. They don’t have to remember every line. They are allowed to mess up. They just need to keep going. Nothing needs to be perfect. This has shown Ella and I that perfection is not needed to make a special production come to life.
It has been an honor to watch Ella perform in shows for 12 years. It has been one of my greatest joys. I am not saying that this is the end. I hope to be driving to her college performances next year.
You can see how much Ella has taught me over the years of theater. I learn so much from my kids. If your child is in theater, enjoy the magical ride of ups and downs. Watch them grow into themselves and gain so much from this experience. Ella, I have loved every minute of it. Maybe not the tears, but all the rest of it.
I can’t wait to see what Ella does for her next act.
Laughing, Learning, Loving,
Rebecca Greene, LCSW-R
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